He founded the hardcore punk band 7 Seconds in 1979 with his brother Steve Youth. Having been their frontman ever since, he also writes their lyrics. He got the band signed to the Better Youth Organization label in 1982. Since its formation, 7 Seconds has released over 15 records as well as touring North America, Europe and Japan multiple times.
Simultaneously with his career with 7 Seconds, he has been engaged in several side projects. These include Go National, Drop Acid, Mustard and the more recent project Ghetto Moments. For 3 and a half years, he hosted a weekly punk rock radio show on the now-defunct KWOD 106.5 in Sacramento before being unceremoniously fired, due to budget cuts at the station. He currently hosts a weekly acoustic/punk show on PunkRadioCast.com.
Starting as a solo artist in 1990, Kevin Seconds has toured the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe. He has released several solo albums under various monikers, including released Rodney, Reggie, Emily in 1994, Stoudamire in 1997 Heaven's Near Wherever You Are in 2001 and his most recent release, Rise Up, Insomniacs! which came out in 2008.
In 2002, he released a split e.p. with Matt Skiba (Alkaline Trio).
He has 2 full-length albums due out by the spring of 2010 as well as a slew of collaborative split 7-inch releases with various fellow punk rock singer/songwriters including Kepi Ghoulie (ex-Groovie Ghoulies), Mike Scott (Phinius Gage from the UK), Mike Hale (In The Red), Joey Cape (Lagwagon), Jonah Matranga (Far), Jesse Michaels (Classics Of Love/Operation Ivy) and more.
Seconds continues to sing and write material for 7Seconds who will celebrate their 30 year anniversary in early 2010.
1981
Kevin Seconds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This one was not much better
From a girl so long ago
A girl I used to know in Reno
Yea things they kinda happened
But I flunked her test or something
Punk rock cured my misery
She said it ruined her and me
[Chorus:]
Back in the day
We played in 1981
We and some fun way back in 1981
She went away I stayed in 1981
What's done is done
I found in 1981
I should explain the chorus
There was no future for us
She made life feel ok
We hung out every day
Then things got kinda creepy
She started getting weepy
Our things grew really odd
As soon as she found God
[Chorus]
She moved to Sacramento
Gave back all my mementos
Stood there and watched her go
Stayed with my band in Skeeno
We tried to keep things friendly
So hard when things have ended
Punk rock blamed for our decline
She said it ruined her and mine
[Chorus]
The song "1981" by Kevin Seconds reflects on a past relationship that was rocked by the influence of punk rock. In the first verse, the singer discovers a letter from a girl he used to know in Reno. She mentions that punk rock "ruined" their lives, while he credits it with curing his misery. The chorus focuses on their shared experiences in 1981, when they both find some happiness in each other's company.
The second verse explores the darker side of the relationship, as the girl becomes "weepy" and obsessed with her newfound faith. She eventually moves away to Sacramento and returns all the mementos the singer had given her. Despite the difficulties they faced, the singer tries to retain a friendly relationship with her, but the damage is already done.
The song highlights the way music can impact our lives, for better or worse. For the singer, punk rock was a lifeline that helped him cope with difficult times, but for his former girlfriend, it became a source of conflict that ultimately drove them apart.
Overall, "1981" is a poignant reflection on the power of music to shape our experiences and influence our relationships. Its bittersweet nostalgia and honest portrayal of the ups and downs of young love make it a powerful and relatable work of art.
Line by Line Meaning
I found another letter
I came across a written message from the girl I used to know
This one was not much better
The letter contained negative news or feelings
From a girl so long ago
The letter was from a person I haven't been in contact with for a long time
A girl I used to know in Reno
The writer of the letter was a female acquaintance from Reno
Yea things they kinda happened
Our past relationship was not exactly planned or ideal
But I flunked her test or something
I failed to meet her expectations or standards in some way
Punk rock cured my misery
Music helped me deal with my sadness or depression
She said it ruined her and me
The musical genre we both enjoyed was something she linked to our downfall
Back in the day
Referring to the past
We played in 1981
We were together and making music in the year 1981
We had some fun way back in 1981
That year was full of memories that were significant and enjoyable for us
She went away I stayed in 1981
Our paths diverged and only I remained in the place and time that was special to us
What's done is done
No point crying over spilt milk
I found in 1981
The nostalgia and happiness I experienced in that year still resonates with me
I should explain the chorus
The previous lines were summarizing a period of time that the chorus refers back to
There was no future for us
Our relationship was not going to last forever or was not meant to be
She made life feel ok
She brought joy and comfort to my day-to-day existence
We hung out every day
We spent a considerable amount of time together
Then things got kinda creepy
The dynamic between us started to feel awkward or uncomfortable for one or both parties
She started getting weepy
The girl became increasingly sad or emotional
Our things grew really odd
Our relationship took an unusual or unfamiliar turn
As soon as she found God
The girl's newfound religiosity caused a shift in her perspective and behavior
She moved to Sacramento
She relocated to a different place
Gave back all my mementos
She returned items that I had given to her as keepsakes of our past relationship
Stood there and watched her go
I stayed behind and witnessed her departure
Stayed with my band in Skeeno
I remained in the band I was a part of and in the city we were based in
We tried to keep things friendly
We attempted to maintain amicable interactions even after our romantic relationship ended
So hard when things have ended
It's difficult to maintain the same level of positivity and friendliness once a romantic relationship is over
Punk rock blamed for our decline
The girl attributed our relationship ending to the influence of the punk rock music we both enjoyed
She said it ruined her and mine
She believed that the music was the reason for the downfall of both our relationship and her own personal well-being
Contributed by Brooklyn Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.